In 2006 Delain’s debut album was launched. ‘Lucidity’ was a project of ex-Within Temptation keyboardist Martijn Westerholt. He had recruited the very young female singer Charlotte Wessels to write some lyrics and in the meantime she also sang a few tracks. Mainly the numerous guest appearances and the general highfaluting tinge reminded me of Ayreon. A meritorious album, but a bit too mainstream gothic rock to leave me in awe.

Many things happened with the “band” since that very beginning. Requests to play live came in and with all speed they put a band together. The juvenile and inexperienced Charlotte (only 17 at that moment) was bombarded as front lady. It took some time before everyone felt at ease, but Delain has taken the challenge with verve. This results in a sophomore album which is way more interesting than their debut, at least, that’s how I think about it. This is a real band effort. The cooperation between Martijn and Charlotte has grown strong. She did not only write the lyrics, but took part in the entire writing process. Guitarist Ronald Landa is not only sublime in his excellent guitar skills, but he also wrote the song ‘Stay Forever’ and he opens his harsh throat (read: grunts) in ‘Virtue & Vice’. After all ‘April Rain’ sounds less pompous and highfaluting than its predecessor.

The number of guest musicians has decreased to two. Martijn could not ignore the unequalled vocals of Nightwish’s (and Tarot!) Marko Hietala, that’s why he can be heard in ‘Control The Storm’ and the captivating closer ‘Nothing Left’. Absolutely great! For the rest we hear cello in a couple of songs and that’s when the second guest comes in sight: it is played by Maria Ahn of The Ahn Trio. A proper surplus value! ‘April Rain’ is what the title suggests: a refreshing April shower in a polluted and by winter contorted landscape. The majority of the songs will mainly appeal to fans of gothic metal and female-fronted bands with symphonic touch, since this is more evocative to symphonic rock than it is to heavy metal. Anyway, in this genre, surely a band whose talents are growing and developing in a positive sense!